2020 will be more important for women than 2018

There is no doubt women voters was the deciding factor for Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives in 2016. The midterm election cycle brought sexual misconduct to the public eye. It started with the now famous “Hollywood Access” tape where candidate Trump bragged about perpetrating such acts.

This brought about the “Me too” movement. Women in America had enough. The 2018 election cycle saw more women than ever run for elected office, and win! The picture of “white men” in legislative positions was over, except in the Republican party.

2018 saw Democrats elect a woman to The Speaker of the House as well as several committee chair positions. On the “right” side of the aisle it is business as usual, “white men” chair all committee slots. This is the common denominator in state houses as well where Republicans hold the majority.

Roe v Wade

In 1973, the landmark Supreme Court case, Roe v Wade was adjudicated. Women were able to exercise their constitutional right to “procreation”. Prior to the decision in this case, women were prohibited in certain states from having their rights respected. The “common denominator” have been fighting to repeal this ever since.

What is ironic about the issue of abortion is those that oppose it adopt the idea of “less government”. The Supreme Court stated that government enacting laws that only affects one gender was discriminatory thus unconstitutional. The “common denominator” disagrees with this decision.

The “end run” plan by the “common denominator” was simple, take the Supreme Court. With the dereliction of Mitch McConnell R-KY, on Merrick Garland, Republicans got their wish. This paved the way for Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Both are anti-abortion judges.

The die has been cast.

If you are female, take to the streets

Defeating the “common denominator” will take a grassroots effort like none seen historically. Right now, four states, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Ohio have enacted anti-abortion laws within the past month. By now you should be able to guess what these states have in common.

Alabama is currently attempting to shove legislation that would enjoin them with the above mentioned states. No doubt more will follow, and the Supreme Court is waiting to overturn this landmark case. This is why Republicans own the initiative of the “war on women”.

If Republicans maintain control of the Senate and White House women across this country will once again have their reproductive rights under assault.

Currently there are 33 seats in the Senate on the ballot in 2020, and Republicans are defending 22 of those seats. Mitch McConnell is one of those defending his seat. Gaining control of the Senate and White house is imperative if there is any chance to save Roe.

Take to the streets by knocking on doors, registering voters, and showing up to the ballot box to vote for the candidate that will protect women’s rights. I will give you a hint, it is the Democrat.

Gene Smith is a Chief Campaign Strategist living in Arizona. He is a Juris Doctor, Democratic Campaign Strategist, Elected Precinct Committee person, and Democratic State Committee Member. Currently, Gene serves on the Environmental Caucus.